You disagree but with no reasons. You should consider why you hold that belief.

When did I say I disagree?

"[...] "Scalpers perform a social service" [...] absurd point".

Do you mean that you think it's absurd but you don't disagree that scalpers perform a social service?

> Good luck finding anyone willing to recognize this

Indeed, most people are pathologically incapable of performing utilitarian reasoning and have a very hard time with this point. Very unfortunate, because that's what informs most economic policy.

Yes, this is exactly my point, thanks for putting it that way.

I recognize this "absurd" point.

Right, but most don't. Maybe try and understand what I'm saying.

I've noticed a new wave of neo-capitalists who seem to be actively sympathising with (if not encouraging) scalping. "It's just the way the free market works!" "That's how retailers always worked!" "It levels out demand!".

Such grubby people.

In basically all my hobbies, scalping has become the norm now. Computers, Japanese cars, tabletop games, hell even kids toys. It does feel like there's been a massive increase in the number of people with enough capital to see a trend and basically buy the market out with the intention of making a profit.

So what's your solution? If there is limited number of 3090 GPUs should they be allocated to those who order them first? By random? Auction?

Scalpers at least ensure you can get it of you really need it (that is willing to pay a lot).

I don't have a solution nor do I think I need to offer one, I just think that people who engage in (and sympathise with) scalping are grubby people.

Let’s say resources are allocated first come first served. What if I could pay someone to camp in front of the store and wait in line for me?

It's not illegal to be an asshole. At least scalpers reveal the true cost of the product.